Speak Your Peace Events enlist community support to break the cycle of domestic violence

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Help turn awareness into action.Domestic violence has been at a crisis level in Milwaukee for years, and incidence rates are increasing as individuals and families cope with financial trouble and unemployment.The statistics are staggering. Domestic violence-related homicides in Milwaukee rose 31% in one year.Annually, there are approximately 15,000 allegations of abuse and neglect in Milwaukee County.In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Sojourner Family Peace Center (SFPC) invites the entire community to get involved with curbing domestic violence rates in southeastern Wisconsin. The Speak Your Peace Domestic Violence Awareness event runs for three days: Oct. 12-14 throughout the Milwaukee area. Opportunities to get involved include: * Fashion show<http://www.masterpieceent.com/SpeakYourPeace/SpeakYourPeace2012.html> – Featuring 10 models who are domestic violence survivors. The show also features a performance by domestic violence survivor and nationally recognized R&B artist Cincere<http://www.unsigned.com/cincere> – Friday, Oct. 12 * Domestic Violence Walk<http://ezregister.com/events/5301/> – Saturday, Oct. 13 * Charity Basketball game<http://www.masterpieceent.com/SpeakYourPeace/SpeakYourPeace2012.html> – Saturday, Oct. 13 * Stageplay ”Shattered but Not Broken”<http://www.masterpieceent.com/> – Saturday, Oct. 13 * Soul Food Sunday Dinner<http://www.masterpieceent.com/SpeakYourPeace/SpeakYourPeace2012.html> – Sunday, Oct. 14“Domestic violence is an issue that affects our entire community,” said Carmen Pitre, Executive Director of Sojourner Family Peace Center. “There is strength in numbers, and we are counting on Milwaukee residents to join forces to help eliminate the cycle of domestic violence. Local support is critical, and Speak Your Peace is an amazing platform to bring that commitment to life.”

Reporters and camera crews are invited to attend any of the events. Jodine Basterash, a domestic violence survivor and the organizer of Speak Your Peace, will be available for interviews.To learn more about any of the Speak Your Peace events, please visitwww.MasterpieceEnt.com<http://www.MasterpieceEnt.com>. You may also contact Jodine Basterash at (888) 529-2770 extension 1 [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> for more information. To seek help from an abusive situation, call the 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline at Sojourner Family Peace Center at 414-933-2722.